I have a coworker who likes to use her size as an excuse for not getting things done.
She says:
she can't file because she's too big to stand for long or bend over and over
she can't walk to the copy machine because she's too big
she can't help carry boxes because she's going to be out of breath
The list goes on and on.
Now, before you start flaming me, stop and hear my side...
I'm a big girl too. She might be 2 dress sizes bigger than me. She's less than 5 jears my senior. She doesn't smoke. So, by all accounts, I understand that there are stresses to being a big girl and that we have our limits. But, I believe that to be seen as a productive workplace citizen, you have to either suck it up and do the work or quit. She's not in a wheelchair. She's not collecting disability. She's able to run when there's food involved.
Am I wrong for expecting that if she wants to be a big girl, she will do the same work other big girls do? Or, am I missing some key point about being able to use your fat/weight as an excuse?
Please share thoughts.

I have a coworker who likes to use her size as an excuse for not getting things done. She says: she can't file because she's too big to stand for long or bend over and over she can't walk to the copy machine because she's too big she can't help carry boxes because she's going to be out of breath The list goes on and on. Now, before you start flaming me, stop and hear my side... I'm a big girl too. She might be 2 dress sizes bigger than me. She's less than 5 jears my senior. She doesn't smoke. So, by all accounts, I understand that there are stresses to being a big girl and that we have our limits. But, I believe that to be seen as a productive workplace citizen, you have to either suck it up and do the work or quit. She's not in a wheelchair. She's not collecting disability. She's able to run when there's food involved. Am I wrong for expecting that if she wants to be a big girl, she will do the same work other big girls do? Or, am I missing some key point about being able to use your fat/weight as an excuse? Please share thoughts.

This girl may have more health issues then you know. if shes not carrying her load well thats a problem but if she works but just slower then the rest of you cut her some slack. maybe she can walk to the copy machine but is self conscience or wants to wait to go and do her copy later on. are you micro managing her? how is that everybody has time to worry about what she is or is not doing? if she fails its on her not you. maybe if somebody would talk to her and maybe find out how they can help her instead of complaing about her things would be alot smoother in the office. obese people are already discriminated in the world and work place and not good if we as the overweight population do it to each other. we feel each others pain, walk in thier shoes and remember what there going through as one day you may be where she is today.

This girl may have more health issues then you know. if shes not carrying her load well thats a problem but if she works but just slower then the rest of you cut her some slack. maybe she can walk to the copy machine but is self conscience or wants to wait to go and do her copy later on. are you micro managing her? how is that everybody has time to worry about what she is or is not doing? if she fails its on her not you. maybe if somebody would talk to her and maybe find out how they can help her instead of complaing about her things would be alot smoother in the office. obese people are already discriminated in the world and work place and not good if we as the overweight population do it to each other. we feel each others pain, walk in thier shoes and remember what there going through as one day you may be where she is today.

I agree with what's been said lazy does not discriminate it includes all shapes & sizes. If she's truly unable to walk without running out of breath then OH&S or the medical officeer should be considering putting her on part-time hours or in a job that doesn't require these activities she complains about.
Laughed though when you write "She's able to run when there's food involved " i'm still giggling over that one. Because you've described her so well i've got a funny visual but also i'm sure if i was complaining about having a headache or something I too could run if there was decent food involved, well maybe not run but i'd be about 6th in line lollol
Thanks for the story & laugh

I agree with what's been said lazy does not discriminate it includes all shapes & sizes. If she's truly unable to walk without running out of breath then OH&S or the medical officeer should be considering putting her on part-time hours or in a job that doesn't require these activities she complains about. Laughed though when you write "She's able to run when there's food involved " i'm still giggling over that one. Because you've described her so well i've got a funny visual but also i'm sure if i was complaining about having a headache or something I too could run if there was decent food involved, well maybe not run but i'd be about 6th in line lollol Thanks for the story & laugh

I tend to agree that it might not be just laziness maybe depression...it shows up the same. Maybe find out if there is a reason that she feels she can't do anything be it truely phsical or emotional. I there isn't one then it i laziness and you have to accept it wont change.....hell no use hating your work day over it.

Quoting Babycakes63:

IDK y'all, sounds to me like she has more going on inside her head than she does outside her body. Not going to condemn her for her excuses...she sounds like she may have a lot of emotional baggage that is working on her. I feel bad for her, but you are right that she should pull more weight around the office...excuse the pun. Her excuses are just that. Excuses.

Quoting Babycakes63:

IDK y'all, sounds to me like she has more going on inside her head than she does outside her body. Not going to condemn her for her excuses...she sounds like she may have a lot of emotional baggage that is working on her. I feel bad for her, but you are right that she should pull more weight around the office...excuse the pun. Her excuses are just that. Excuses.

I tend to agree that it might not be just laziness maybe depression...it shows up the same. Maybe find out if there is a reason that she feels she can't do anything be it truely phsical or emotional. I there isn't one then it i laziness and you have to accept it wont change.....hell no use hating your work day over it.

"Graze on my lips; and if those hills be dry, stray lower, where the pleasant fountains lie."
-- William Shakespeare

I personally think that most of us big people are fitting into the fat stereotype. Is it because she is fat that she uses these excuses or because she is lazy. Fat should not have even been included in the equation. Fat has nothing to do with it. I know we all can agree that we have set in an office where people will moan and complain about not doing work just to get out of doing it. If you have noticed I did not say fat or skinny; I said people. Please don't let society make those of us whom are big start hating other big people. Lazy is lazy and it has no size!

I personally think that most of us big people are fitting into the fat stereotype. Is it because she is fat that she uses these excuses or because she is lazy. Fat should not have even been included in the equation. Fat has nothing to do with it. I know we all can agree that we have set in an office where people will moan and complain about not doing work just to get out of doing it. If you have noticed I did not say fat or skinny; I said people. Please don't let society make those of us whom are big start hating other big people. Lazy is lazy and it has no size!

She might like the attention she gets even if it is the wrong kind. I have always worked in clerical, sdministrative positions and I tell my kids thats why I got my derrier...right now I am working at a vet clinic and I fill in for the bather, for the past 2 weeks now. OMG talk about a work out bending, stooping, picking up dogs, putting them in the tub and out. At the end of the day I am about to die, but the exercise makes me feel better. My clothes are fitting better too,. She needs to make an effort to fullfil her duties otherwise she may get replaced.

She might like the attention she gets even if it is the wrong kind. I have always worked in clerical, sdministrative positions and I tell my kids thats why I got my derrier...right now I am working at a vet clinic and I fill in for the bather, for the past 2 weeks now. OMG talk about a work out bending, stooping, picking up dogs, putting them in the tub and out. At the end of the day I am about to die, but the exercise makes me feel better. My clothes are fitting better too,. She needs to make an effort to fullfil her duties otherwise she may get replaced.

Since I am both fat and handicapped...I was lucky that my coworkers always helped me out...I would try and do things I was not supposed to...and they would all yell at me! If you have physical problems, then it should be out in the open.so it would not look like only a "fat" thing! Its a shame.

Since I am both fat and handicapped...I was lucky that my coworkers always helped me out...I would try and do things I was not supposed to...and they would all yell at me! If you have physical problems, then it should be out in the open.so it would not look like only a "fat" thing! Its a shame.

She is just one big attention seeker and is making excuses for not doing the work she is meant to, and has adapted this excuse because it works for her. This is something that will be negative for her in the long run.
Now this would be hard for you if you are having to do her work to compensate, but if not, then dont sweat it. I do think that people will see her for who she is, not how big she is.
She is digging her own grave.

She is just one big attention seeker and is making excuses for not doing the work she is meant to, and has adapted this excuse because it works for her. This is something that will be negative for her in the long run. Now this would be hard for you if you are having to do her work to compensate, but if not, then dont sweat it. I do think that people will see her for who she is, not how big she is. She is digging her own grave.

If you can't do the job you are hired for then the replacement plan is necessary - excuses are excuses but someone in management willhave to recognize it or you will only jeopardize your own position within the company. What goes around comes around - just hard to wait and see it. Fair is fair - I do the same work as the smaller girls/ladies at work and I am expected to.

If you can't do the job you are hired for then the replacement plan is necessary - excuses are excuses but someone in management willhave to recognize it or you will only jeopardize your own position within the company. What goes around comes around - just hard to wait and see it. Fair is fair - I do the same work as the smaller girls/ladies at work and I am expected to.

IDK y'all, sounds to me like she has more going on inside her head than she does outside her body. Not going to condemn her for her excuses...she sounds like she may have a lot of emotional baggage that is working on her. I feel bad for her, but you are right that she should pull more weight around the office...excuse the pun. Her excuses are just that. Excuses.

IDK y'all, sounds to me like she has more going on inside her head than she does outside her body. Not going to condemn her for her excuses...she sounds like she may have a lot of emotional baggage that is working on her. I feel bad for her, but you are right that she should pull more weight around the office...excuse the pun. Her excuses are just that. Excuses.

It's truely crap that she does that! That is the type of thing that makes it hard for big people in general to get jobs! She should be doing the work and it sounds as if (and I truely do not mean any offense and i may be wrong), but it's not that physical of a job. I do also agree with ebony, you do the work to the best of your ability, and your employer will should see the difference of work ethics.

It's truely crap that she does that! That is the type of thing that makes it hard for big people in general to get jobs! She should be doing the work and it sounds as if (and I truely do not mean any offense and i may be wrong), but it's not that physical of a job. I do also agree with ebony, you do the work to the best of your ability, and your employer will should see the difference of work ethics.

Well As some one was over 450 pounds Ive got to say that her not doing any of those thing is an EXCUSE! Like you said she is the first one in line for food .There is NO excuse for her not to do any of those tasks .I say she better wake up and smell the danish and coffe. Because if she is not able to preform her duties the company bean counters and HR may see her as a liability. Any company most likely in the Age of RIFing ( reduction in workforce) will have the motivation to trim costs . Her not doing those tasks,the bean counters and HR will see her as a finacial and health inshurance liability. Her employment might be next out the door for non preformance of the job duties she was hired for .

Well As some one was over 450 pounds Ive got to say that her not doing any of those thing is an EXCUSE! Like you said she is the first one in line for food .There is NO excuse for her not to do any of those tasks .I say she better wake up and smell the danish and coffe. Because if she is not able to preform her duties the company bean counters and HR may see her as a liability. Any company most likely in the Age of RIFing ( reduction in workforce) will have the motivation to trim costs . Her not doing those tasks,the bean counters and HR will see her as a finacial and health inshurance liability. Her employment might be next out the door for non preformance of the job duties she was hired for .

To be honest as a fellow fatty I tend to be more likely to fetch and carry where I can, and walk round the office at a decent "businesslike" pace because I'd hate to give someone the opportunity to say "she can't do that, she's too fat".
It can, however, be used as a perfectly legitimate excuse in circumstances. For example, I must have that last cake/biscuit/piece of cheese because I have my figure to maintain. LOL :)

To be honest as a fellow fatty I tend to be more likely to fetch and carry where I can, and walk round the office at a decent "businesslike" pace because I'd hate to give someone the opportunity to say "she can't do that, she's too fat". It can, however, be used as a perfectly legitimate excuse in circumstances. For example, I must have that last cake/biscuit/piece of cheese because I have my figure to maintain. LOL :)